The Pedlar: A menu and space for all walks of life

For years the people of Campbell have cried out for a local watering hole, and in 2016, local hospo veteran Simon Hammond answered everyone’s prayers. Enter The Pedlar – now a popular hotspot for not only its residing suburb but also Canberra and beyond, with crowds flocking to its sun-drenched corner on Constitution Avenue for breakfast, lunch and dinner, or just a spontaneous drink or… 20.

Open seven days a week, The Pedlar kitchen offers a varied menu including all the pub classics, burgers, a range of fresh salads and plenty of sharing options.

Drinks are also covered with the menu boasting a range of fresh juices, smoothies, milkshakes and freshly brewed boutique coffee and tea. Of course, any local pub would not be the same without an extensive bar and The Pedlar does not disappoint, featuring eight taps, a great range of wines, cocktails, and craft beers; perfect for lingering over on a sunny afternoon or a cosy evening.

The Pedlar is a gathering place for all walks of life, filled with an abundance of natural light and charming copper and pastel décor detailing. It’s a social, fun and casual space that’s all about impeccable service in a friendly, stylish and approachable setting. Furthermore, The Pedlar’s small plate selection makes for the perfect smorgasbord of shared bites among friends.

The perfect starter to your Pedlar feast, order the Smoked Trout Betel Leaves before you even look at the menu to kick things off. These scrumptious clusters comprise of green mango, coconut, kiffir lime, chilli, fried onion and nahm jim dressing, and burst full of flavour the second it hits your palate. The trout has been smoked in-house and is an innovative twist on the usual betel leaves ingredient, prawns. Providing a delightful balance of zest, crunch and heat, we recommend you get your hands dirty, wrap all the elements up and eat these little gems in one mouthful. Superb!

Vegetarians, you can’t go past the Flatbread with grilled asparagus, mushrooms, whipped marinated feta, basil and dried chilli. The flatbread is toasted perfectly providing a much-welcomed crunch to the softer textures of the mushrooms and greens, while the freshly plucked basil adds an earthy aroma to every bite. This one is great for sharing alongside a glass of wine or a light lunch.

For the meat lovers out there, boy do we have the dish for you. The Pedlar’s Fried JFC Chicken Wings are coated with shichimi seasoning and served alongside house-made pickled ginger mayo before garnished with a sprinkle of spring onion, parsley and chilli. Imagine having this plate of golden morsels all to yourself while downing a nice cold beer – the perfect combo best enjoyed on The Pedlar’s outside area which capitalises on the sunlight.

Onto mains and we were treated with two of the best. Patrons are spoilt for choice when it comes to salads, with The Pedlar offering three variations to suit any taste. The Beetroot Cured Trout Salad is a popular pick among the ladies and boasts a fresh, yet a delicate mix of quinoa, cucumber, radish, watercress dill and lemon yoghurt dressing among finely sliced trout that has been lovingly cured in beetroot. If you’re after something light, a little healthier, or a garden-fresh side to a heartier meal then this dish is for you!

You can also find all of the tasty pub grub classics that we’ve all come to know and love any traditional pub’s menu. Along with the schnitty and steak, also available at The Pedlar, there’s another crowd favourite that we couldn’t go past. We’re talking about the good ol’ burger. For a sure guaranteed satisfying feed order the Cheese Burger, made with succulent beef, Pialligo bacon, cheddar cheese, onion, pickle, mustard and ketchup, encased in a soft bun with, of course, served with crispy fries. What you see is what you get with this pub staple – a true testament to letting quality ingredients speak for themselves.

The Pedlar also offers weekly specials as well as the capacity to host private functions. The diverse venue fits up to 200 guests with the option of inside or outside seating and segregated areas that can suit any occasion, from an intimate family and friends celebration to a big birthday bash.

If you haven’t yet already, hop on The Pedlar bandwagon, head on over to Campbell and see what all the fuss is about. Take our word for it, you’ll sure be coming back time and time again.

About the Author(s)

Josephine is the Editor of OutInCanberra and has a wealth of experience in fashion, food, arts and lifestyle journalism for both print and online platforms.
A foodie at heart, when she's not glued to her laptop, you can find her wine and dining at the latest restaurants and cafes across the city.